This is mainly a compilation of the visits to various holy places that we have been to recently. This blog started as a result of my wish to document these visits and help other like minded people to reach there easily, prepare them with some information about the place so that the experience will be enriched .

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Swarnakateswarar temple at Neivanai- A padal petra Sthalam

Among the Nadu naatu padal petra sthalams this is a very ancient temple. the temple has been renovated recently by devotees who have received blessings in bounty . If the priest Sri krishnamoorthy is to be believed the lord blesses his devotees and ensures a bountiful harvest in any activity. He is 80 years young and is willing to show you around all day and is a picture of great confidence
How to reach:
The temple can be reached from Tiruvennainellur on the road to Ulundurpet about 21 kms from Tiruvennainallur, take a right turn towards Neivanai and at about 5 kms you will see the ruins
You can also reach the place from Ulundurpet. Enter Ulundurpet and at the main bus stand take a turn north west wards towards Thirukoilur on SH 69 It is called the Tiruvennainellur road.About 12kms from the bus stand turn left into the Nemili Rishivandiyam road At about 10 kms you will see the temple on the right.
Legends and Stories:
Sri Gnanasambandar the young savant was travelling here in darkness when the ambal guided him to the lord who gave his bountiful darshan which made the young poet break into song and dance. He is shown here dancing as a child
Once there was floods in this place with the lakes and rivers swelling. The lord appeared as a youth and directed the people to build a dam using Nel (paddy) thus the name for the place Nel anai (paddy dam was the original name which has been corrupted now to Neivanai) The lord then gave the villagers gold to re build their village and admonished them for forgetting their belief in god due to their affluence.He then manifested as a swayumbhu lingam here so the villagers built the temple here.
During the Tamil month of Chittirai the rays of the sun fall on the lingam and the colour changes many hues in the day from gold to red to orange.
There are idols of Vishnu with Lakshmi on his lap in the mandapam with both of them closing their eyes showing prayer attitude.
As you enter you see the Shivan sannidhi. The Nandi in front has both paws crossed in front showing praying attitude
The Shiva lingam is inside the ante chamber and about 3-4 feet tall.
the outer praharam has sannidhis for vinayaga,Agastheeswarar,Murugan
The Ambal sannidhi Neela malar kanni or Brihannayaki is a majestic 5 feet tall vigraham in a separate sannidhi facing east
the sthala vruksham is the vanni tree a few saplings have been planted recently again a happy devotees contribution
A temple with very positive energy
Contact Sri krishnamurthy gurukkal: 90477859144 .
The temple is open 6 AM to 8 PM